Effect of cysteine-rich whey protein (immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training on muscle strength and lean body mass in non-frail elderly subjects: a randomized, double-blind controlled study.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to compare the effects of cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein supplementation, combined with resistance training, on muscle strength and lean body mass in elderly individuals.
Results Summary
The study found that both casein and Immunocal® groups showed significant increases in muscle strength (31.0% and 39.3%, respectively), with Immunocal® demonstrating approximately 10% greater improvement. No significant changes in lean body mass were observed in either group.
Population
Non-frail elderly subjects (99 recruited, 84 completed, 67 compliant).
Effective Dosage
20 g/day of casein.
Duration
135 days.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | muscle strength | elderly individuals | - | increase | #1 |
cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | lean body mass (LBM) | elderly individuals | - | increase | #2 |
casein supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | absolute muscle strength | non-frail elderly subjects | 31.0 % | increase | #3 |
casein supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | muscle strength normalized by BW | non-frail elderly subjects | 30.9 % | increase | #4 |
casein supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | muscle strength normalized by LBM | non-frail elderly subjects | 30.0 % | increase | #5 |
cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | absolute muscle strength | non-frail elderly subjects | 39.3 % | increase | #6 |
cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | muscle strength normalized by BW | non-frail elderly subjects | 39.9 % | increase | #7 |
cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | increase | muscle strength normalized by LBM | non-frail elderly subjects | 43.3 % | increase | #8 |
cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein | increase | muscle strength expressed in kg per kg BW | non-frail elderly subjects | approximately 10 % | increase | #9 |
cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein | increase | muscle strength expressed in kg per kg LBM | non-frail elderly subjects | approximately 10 % | increase | #10 |
casein supplementation in combination with resistance training | no change | total LBM | non-frail elderly subjects | no significant changes | no significant changes | #11 |
cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training | no change | total LBM | non-frail elderly subjects | no significant changes | no significant changes | #12 |
resistance training | increase | muscle strength | non-frail elderly subjects | - | increases | #13 |
addition of a cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein | increase | muscle strength | non-frail elderly subjects | - | significant additional increases | #14 |
OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the present study was to examine the effect of a cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) supplementation in combination with resistance training on muscle strength and lean body mass (LBM) in elderly individuals. We hypothesized that the cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) group would experience a greater increase in muscle strength and lean body mass versus the control group (casein). DESIGN: Randomized double-blind controlled intervention study. SETTING: Institut de Recherches Cliniques de Montréal in Montreal, Canada. PARTICIPANTS: Ninety-nine non-frail elderly subjects were recruited. INTERVENTION: Participants were randomly assigned into two groups. The experimental group received a cysteine-rich whey protein isolate (Immunocal®) (20 g/day) and the control group received casein (20 g/day) during a 135-day period. In addition, both groups performed the same resistance training program (3 times per week). MEASUREMENTS: Body composition (DXA) and muscle strength (leg press) were measured. RESULTS: Of the 99 recruited participants, 84 completed the 135-day study period. Of these, 67 subjects (33 in the casein group and 34 in the Immunocal® group) complied and used at least 80 % of the study product and completed at least 80 % of their training sessions. Results in this selected group show an increase in all three muscle strength variables (absolute, normalized by BW and by LBM) by 31.0 %, 30.9 % and 30.0 %, respectively in the casein group as well as 39.3 %, 39.9 % and 43.3 %, respectively in the Immunocal® group after the intervention (p < 0.05). The increases in muscle strength favored Immunocal® versus casein by approximately 10 % when expressed in kg per kg BW and in kg per kg LBM (p < 0.05). No significant changes were found between pre-and-post intervention in both groups for total LBM. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings showed increases in muscle strength in both groups after resistance training, however, significant additional increases were observed in muscle strength with the addition of a cysteine-rich whey protein (Immunocal®) versus casein.